Help With Funding

We understand that arranging live-in care is a significant financial decision. While some people choose to fund their care privately, there are several sources of financial support that may be available depending on your circumstances, care needs, income, savings and health.

At Live In Care Partners, we are happy to help you understand the different options available and point you towards the appropriate organisations for further information and advice.

Local Authority Funding

Your local authority may be able to contribute towards the cost of care in your own home.

The first step is to request a care needs assessment from your local authority. This assessment looks at your care and support needs and whether you meet the eligibility criteria for support.

If you are eligible, the council will normally carry out a financial assessment to determine how much you may need to contribute towards the cost of your care. Depending on your circumstances, the council may contribute towards some or all of your eligible care costs.

A person receiving council support may also be offered a personal budget or Direct Payment, which can provide greater choice over how eligible care and support is arranged. The way this works can vary between local authorities.

If you are considering live-in care, it is important to tell your social worker or local authority that you are considering care in your own home, as live-in care may be one way of meeting assessed care and support needs.

You can request a care needs assessment through GOV.UK.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that means they need help with personal care or supervision.

It is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect whether you can receive it. You do not have to already have a carer to qualify.

Attendance Allowance can be used towards the additional costs associated with care and support. It can therefore be one part of a wider plan for funding live-in care.

If you receive Attendance Allowance, you may also qualify for additional support such as Pension Credit, depending on your circumstances.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

For people with complex or substantial health needs, NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) may be available.

NHS Continuing Healthcare is a package of care arranged and funded by the NHS for adults who are assessed as having a primary health need. It can be provided in a person's own home as well as in a care home.

If someone is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare in their own home, the NHS can fund an appropriate package of care to meet their assessed health and associated social care needs.

Eligibility is based on the person's care needs rather than simply their diagnosis. The assessment process normally begins with a screening checklist and, where appropriate, progresses to a more detailed multidisciplinary assessment.

If you believe that you or a family member may have significant or complex health needs, speak to your GP, district nurse, social worker or another healthcare professional about whether an NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment may be appropriate.

Personal Savings and Investments

Some people choose to use their own savings or investments to pay for live-in care.

This can provide flexibility because the care package can be arranged privately according to the individual's needs and preferences.

However, before using substantial savings to fund long-term care, it can be helpful to obtain independent financial advice, particularly where care may be required for a prolonged period.

Equity Release

If you own your home, equity release may be one option to consider for accessing some of the money tied up in the property while continuing to live there.

There are different types of equity release, including lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans. Equity release can have significant financial and long-term consequences, including interest, fees and potential effects on inheritance and entitlement to some means-tested support.

Equity release is a regulated financial product, and independent specialist financial advice is required before entering into an equity release arrangement.

Live In Care Partners does not provide financial advice. We recommend speaking to a suitably qualified, regulated adviser who specialises in later-life or care-fee planning before making any decisions about equity release.

Downsizing or Selling a Property

Some families choose to use money released from selling or downsizing a property to help fund care.

For example, someone may decide to move from a larger property to a smaller, more manageable home and use some of the released capital towards their care costs.

This is a major financial and personal decision, so independent financial and legal advice should be considered before proceeding.

Other Benefits and Support

Depending on your age and circumstances, you may also be entitled to other benefits or support that could help with your overall household finances.

For example, people who are below State Pension age and have a disability may potentially qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), subject to the relevant eligibility rules.

Other benefits, such as Pension Credit, may also be relevant depending on your circumstances.

A benefits check can help identify support you may not currently be receiving.

Where Should I Start?

If you are unsure how you will fund live-in care, we recommend taking the following steps:

1. 1

   Request a care needs assessment

   Contact your local authority's adult social care team.

2. 2

   Ask about a financial assessment

   This will establish whether you may be entitled to financial support towards your care.

3. 3

   Check your benefits

   Look into Attendance Allowance and any other benefits that may apply to your circumstances.

4. 4

   Ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare

   If your care needs are complex or primarily health-related, ask your healthcare professional whether an assessment may be appropriate.

5. 5

   Consider your private funding options

   Savings, investments, downsizing, equity release or care-fee financial products may be options, but specialist financial advice should be obtained before making significant financial decisions.

6. 6

   Speak to us about your care requirements

   We can discuss the level of live-in care you require and provide a clear quotation based on your individual circumstances.

We're Here to Help

Understanding how to pay for care can feel complicated, particularly when you are arranging care for a parent, partner or loved one.

Our team can talk you through the cost of live-in care and the level of support required, while helping you identify the organisations you may need to contact about possible funding.

Funding eligibility is determined by the relevant local authority, NHS body or benefits agency. We cannot guarantee that any individual will qualify for funding. Live In Care Partners does not provide financial advice, and you should seek independent professional advice before making financial decisions about funding long-term care.